Expert: Michael Kakuk - 3/15/2010

Question
Hi Mike. I have 2 questions.

First question is I have a canopy I bought from a salvage yard in good condition. The canopy is silver and has 1 surface crack. I need to fix the crack and repaint the whole canopy to match my red truck. The entire canopy is fiberglass, and I can fix the crack since i'm experienced with fiberglass work. After fixing, do I just apply primer over the repaired area, then sand the primer, then paint the entire canopy red? Or do I need to sand the entire canopy, then primer the whole thing, then paint? Also is there any other special treatment I need to do with the fiberglass involving primer/sealing?

My second question is there any spray gun out there that doesn't require a high CFM compressor? All the HVLP guns I've looked at require about 10 CFM minimum. Is there any gun/compressor combination out there that will suffice for producing a good paint job? Can I get away with buying a compressor around 60 gallon/5 CFM, or is there a spray gun out there that doesn't require around 10 CFM or more? Or do I just need to bite the bullet and buy a good HVLP gun and a high CFM compressor?

Answer
QUESTION 1

PRIMER OVER REPAIRED AREA AND SAND .....YOU CAN USE AN AEROSOL PRIMER PREFERABLY BURGUNDY COLOR.
THEY ARE AVAILABLE AT AUTO STORES

IF THE PAINT IS IN DECENT ENOUGH CONDITION YOU CAN SAND DOWN WITH 320,PRIME AND THEN SAND AND PAINT.

IF YOU PUT NEW PAINT OVER OLD YOU MAY HAVE A REACTION WHICH CAN BE A MESS TO CLEAN UP.IRE CAP

FOR BEST RESULTS SAND CAP AND PRIME ENTIRE CAP...THIS WILL GIVE YOU A GOOD BASE TO APPLY THE PAINT.


QUESTION 2

YOU CAN USE A 60 GALLON TANK...THE HVLP GUNS REQUIRE 9-11 AT THE TIP WHICH MEANS
YOU HAVE TO SET YOUR REGULATOR AT A HIGH PRESSURE AMOUNT...AROUND 90 OR SO.

YOU WILL USE THE AIR UP IN THE TANK AND WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE TANK TO BUILD
UP PRESSURE.


THANKS
MIKE